Apple iPad Pro (M4) review: Is this the best tablet you can buy?
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What is the Apple iPad Pro (M4)?
The iPad Pro (M4) sits at the top of Apple's tablet offering, with more power than the iPad Air (M3) thanks to the M4 processor, and a slimmer and lighter build. It's the thinnest product Apple offers, and its slender design comes in 11-inch and 13-inch size options, as well as two colour variants.
The iPad Pro (M4) is the most expensive iPad available, costing almost double the iPad Air (M3) and iPad mini (A17 Pro) and nearly triple the iPad (A16), but it is also the only iPad to offer an OLED display. Apple introduced the iPad Pro (M4) in May 2024 and with it, introduced its Tandem OLED display technology to offer better brightness.
The iPad Pro is an impressive tablet, but it comes with a huge cost, starting at around the same price as the recent MacBook Air (M4). I've been using it for nearly a year since it first launched and while it will be overkill for many in terms of power, here's why it remains the best tablet in its class.
How we test tablets
I have been testing consumer technology for over 12 years and have reviewed everything from the best smartphones and best headphones to the best tablets.
I have also used every iPad that Apple has ever released, and regularly use all the current models, from the entry-level iPad (A16) to this top-of-the-range iPad Pro (M4), so I have a good idea of how the models compare, including to other tablets, such as Samsung's Galaxy Tabs.
When we test iPads, we look at five distinct metrics: design, display, performance, battery life and software and AI, but it isn't just about numbers on a spreadsheet. For this iPad in particular, I have used it for a year: watching hundreds of films, writing thousands of words, spending hours browsing the web, editing images and playing games.
I've also taken it with me on a number of plane journeys, all of which have allowed me to test its screen in a variety of scenarios, as well as its battery life and general performance.
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Design
Score: 10/10
The iPad Pro (M4)'s design is impressive. It has a slim body, measuring just 5.3mm, and a lightweight aluminium build that makes it incredibly portable, whether you opt for the 11-inch or 13-inch model.
Unlike the rest of Apple's iPads, the iPad Pro has Face ID built into the top of the uniform bezels around the display, rather than Touch ID in the power button. This is significantly more convenient for unlocking and authenticating payments or passwords. Alongside the Face ID sensors is the front camera in a landscape orientation like the rest of the range, while a magnetic strip is located on the edge at the top, allowing the Apple Pencil Pro (sold separately for £119) to snap on and charge.
A camera and LiDAR sensor are present in the top left rear corner of the iPad Pro (M4) when in portrait mode, while the Smart Connector sits at the bottom. This allows the tablet to connect to various accessories, like the Magic Keyboard (also sold separately for £349).
Display
Score: 10/10
If the iPad Pro (M4)'s design wasn't enough to win you over, then its display will. The Tandem OLED panel has a peak brightness of 1,600 nits, which allows this iPad to be used outside in blazing sunshine with no problem.
That's even more true if you opt for the nano-texture display option available in the higher storage models (1TB and 2TB), where the matte finish cuts through reflections. It is an added cost (£100) to an already expensive tablet, but it's well worth it, as it is on the MacBook Pro (M4).
Colours presented on the display – whether standard or nano-texture – are exceptionally vibrant with plenty of punch, while contrast is superb with brilliantly bright whites and a deep, inky black. Viewing angles are great, too, and the detail is crisp and sharp. As far as displays go, this one is fantastic, making everything look wonderful from watching movies to looking back through your photo gallery.
Performance
Score: 10/10
The iPad Pro (M4) runs on Apple's M4 silicon chip, which is the same as what powers the company's latest MacBooks. It means that the iPad Pro is an incredibly rapid tablet and while it has more power than many will need, its performance is unbeatable.
Loading apps, switching between tasks, gaming and scrolling are all effortless. In the last year, I've used the iPad Pro as a tablet, as well as a replacement to my laptop by attaching the Magic Keyboard. I was able to write, edit images on Photoshop, take hours worth of notes and watch hundreds of films. Nothing was a problem. It's smooth and fluid, whether you're running two apps side-by-side or playing casual or graphically intensive games.
The four-speakers deliver decent sound and while I'd always recommend connecting up a pair or AirPods or other headphones for the best listening experience, the iPad Pro more than delivers without.
Battery life
Score: 9/10
Apple touts the same battery life for all its iPads, whether you're using the iPad mini or the iPad Pro: ten hours for watching video and nine for surfing the web. I've found that to be pretty accurate in use, after streaming an hour of video on the iPad Pro used only 9 per cent of charge, which means it should entertain you across the Atlantic to New York without requiring a top-up mid-flight.
The battery does deplete a little faster if you connect the Magic Keyboard, but that's the case for all tablets, so it's not a deal breaker.
The only downside is that the charging speed is on the slow side, like all of Apple's iPads. Apple doesn't officially specify the charging speed, but for this model, it seems to be between 30W and 35W. With OnePlus and Oppo both offering support for 67W charging, the iPad Pro (M4) could up its game, even if only to 45W to match what Samsung provides on its latest Galaxy Tabs. It's not the end of the world and depending on the user you are, you may go days in between charges, but a quicker burst of speed would be welcome.
Software and AI
Score: 9/10
The iPad Pro (M4) runs on iPadOS, the same software on all of Apple's other current iPads, as well as some older models. It's slick and easy to use, offering a multitude of apps optimised for bigger screens and overall, it is superior to the Android tablet user interface.
Android does allow for better multitasking in that you can use three apps simultaneously on some devices rather than just two, like the iPad offers, but iPadOS is more intuitive than many Android tablets for entering multitasking modes, as well as general navigation and use. There's no support for multiple users, which is probably my biggest bugbear with the iPadOS software, but it's a great experience that Apple users will find familiar, while those new to Apple's ecosystem will have no problem getting to grips with it.
Apple Intelligence is supported on the iPad Pro (M4) as well and while I don't see it as being a sole reason to invest in this tablet on its own, there are some useful features such as Math Notes and Writing Tools. Image Playground can be fun, while Clean Up in the Photos app is handy for removing unwanted objects or people from the background of your shots.
The iPad Pro (M4) is one of the most expensive tablets on the market, but it's not on its own. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra also has a £1,000 starting price, so I've compared the two below.
Should you buy the Apple iPad Pro (M4)?
The Apple iPad Pro (M4) is an exceptional tablet, with a slim and lightweight design, stunning display and rapid performance.
There's more power here than many will ever be able to fully utilise, accessories like the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard aren't included, and there's no multi-user support, so it doesn't lend itself well to being a shared family tablet. There's also no getting around the iPad Pro (M4)'s high starting price.
Get past the cost, though, and all the other criticisms are minor grievances. The iPad Pro (M4) will be overkill for most, but it's without a doubt the best tablet on the market, delivering a fabulous experience that's hard to fault.
Yes, if:
You're looking for the most powerful tablet on the market
You want a slim, lightweight and long-lasting tablet
You need a tablet with the best display
No, if:
Power isn't your priority
You want the best value
Apple iPad Pro (M4) FAQs
What does the M4 mean for iPad?
The M4 chip means the iPad Pro has as much power as the entry-level MacBook laptops from Apple, so this tablet offers superb performance.
Should I buy the 11-inch or 13-inch model?
The 11-inch iPad Pro is more portable with a smaller footprint than the 13-inch version, weighing 444g compared to 579g. However, if you're considering this iPad as a laptop replacement and can afford it, go for the 13-inch size. It's still portable and the larger screen is excellent for multi-tasking.
What generation is the iPad Pro M4?
The iPad Pro (M4) is the seventh generation of the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro line was first announced in September 2015 with a 12.9-inch model, before the 9.7-inch version was announced in March 2016. The iPad Pro (M4) succeeds the iPad Pro 12.9 (6th generation) and the iPad 11 (5th generation).
When was the iPad Pro M4 released?
The iPad Pro (M4) was announced on 7 May 2024. Pre-orders started immediately, with availability from 15 May 2024. It starts at £999.
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